Kadıköy Mayor Kösedağı: No one has any information about the future of Kalamış Park

A new tender has been held for the privatization of the Fenerbahçe-Kalamış Yacht Harbor. Reacting to the process, Kadıköy Mayor Mesut Kösedağı said, "We will not give our Kalamış Park to anyone."

Making a statement at Kalamış Park, Kadıköy Mayor Mesut Kösedağı said the following:

“The tender process for the Kalamış Marina has been ongoing since 2010. This is the third tender; the first two were cancelled despite being concluded. Currently, we do not know the fate of this tender. We wanted to access the file, but a confidentiality order has been placed on the tender specifications. We do not understand what this confidentiality is for. As the people of Kadıköy and Istanbul, we love this place very much. Look, people are exercising right behind us, meeting with the water. We have no idea what will happen to this place or the fate of this tender. Is there a public benefit? Will the people of Kadıköy be able to meet the sea? We don't know if they will build a hotel or a recreational facility. As the Mayor of Kadıköy, I have no information about how the process is working in Kalamış, Haydarpaşa, and Fikirtepe; NGOs have no information, associations have no information, solidarity groups have no information, and the people of Kadıköy have no information.”

"KALAMIŞ PARK CANNOT BE INTERFERED WITH"

Emphasizing that Kalamış is also a public space, Kadıköy Mayor Mesut Kösedağı continued:

“Kalamış is one of the last green spaces in Istanbul. It is one of the most popular spots for the people of Kadıköy and Istanbul. This place belongs to the people of Kadıköy. It is a public and actively used area. We broadcast the Euro 2024 matches here this year. Approximately 300 thousand people came. We will hold a festival here again. That will also start soon. As the Mayor of Kadıköy, I am saying this very clearly and loudly; the Kalamış Marina cannot expand from there to here.

I will never accept any interference with Kalamış Park. We will not give our Kalamış Park to anyone. Whether they offer 505 million dollars or 2 billion dollars, that is not our problem. It is not the problem of the people of Kadıköy. As the people of Kadıköy, we will use all our legal avenues to the fullest. Together with our citizens, professional chambers, and NGOs, we will ensure that the park remains a green space and continues to integrate with the sea. As long as I am the Mayor of Kadıköy, this marina will not be able to grow in any way in Kalamış, and Kalamış Park cannot be interfered with.”

Reminding that the legal process regarding the Kalamış Yacht Harbor is ongoing, Kösedağı said, “The lawsuit filed by the Chamber of Architects and 32 of our citizens regarding this place is continuing. We are following the process and will intervene if necessary.”

TOP 3 BIDS

A new tender was held on July 16 for the privatization of the Fenerbahçe-Kalamış Marina, the largest yacht harbor in Istanbul owned by the Turkish Maritime Organization (TDİ), through the "transfer of operating rights" for a period of 40 years. According to information shared on the Privatization Administration's website, the top 3 bids in the tender were submitted by Vahit Karaarslan with 505 million dollars, Tek-Art Kalamış and Fenerbahçe Marmara Turizm Tesisleri Anonim Şirketi with 504 million dollars, and Can Kültür Sanat Eğitim Kurumları İşletmeciliği Anonim Şirketi with 469 million dollars. In the auction, which lasted 27 rounds, the highest bid came from Vahit Karaarslan with 505 million dollars.

THIS IS THE THIRD TENDER

In 2021, Tek-Art Kalamış and Fenerbahçe Marmara Turizm Tesisleri A.Ş, affiliated with Koç Holding, participated in the tender opened for the transfer of operating rights of the Fenerbahçe-Kalamış Yacht Harbor for 40 years, including the investment process, and won the tender with a bid of 2 billion 531 million liras. However, the tender was cancelled by a Presidential Decree on January 19, 2022. The tender held in 2022 was cancelled because sufficient bids were not received.

News Source: 12punto